Abu Dhabi Ship Building, the leading shipbuilder and naval support services provider in the Gulf region, has today launched its first Ghannatha Missile Boat at its Mussafah shipyard facilities. The Ghannatha Phase II program was awarded to ADSB in 2009. ADSB was commissioned to construct 12 new Missile Boats and retrofit the existing ADSB-built Ghannatha Phase I troop carriers into gun boats and mortar boats.

As with the previous Phase I program, ADSB’s strategic partner involved in the project is Swedeship Marine from Sweden, which is constructing three of the 12 missile vessels with the remaining nine vessels built at ADSB. Abu Dhabi Systems Integration (ADSI) is responsible for all integration activities, including the complex combat equipment fitted into the vessel.

The Ghannatha Phase 2 program for the UAE Navy is one of the most significant programs currently under construction in the region. The vessel’s outfit includes the latest propulsion/auxiliary systems and also the latest state-of-the-art weapons, sensors and combat management system making it one of the most compact small-size naval fighting platforms available.

Ghannatha Phase I troop carriers

The vessels carry a surface-to-surface missile system, and are also fitted with a main gun forward and small gun located aft. The vessels, each measuring 27 metres, are manufactured using marine-grade aluminium alloy and are powered by twin MTU marine diesel engines coupled to Rolls Royce waterjets, allowing the vessels to travel at speeds in excess of 35 knots.

Marking yet another launch day at ADSB, CEO Mohamed Salem Al Junaibi commented: “We are again delighted to be able to launch another vessel for the UAE Navy. This project has potentially redefined inshore naval capability concepts. We believe that having a vessel under 30 metres fitted with two guns and a missile system will undoubtedly gain popularity for other regional operators. We would also like to thank the UAE Navy for giving us the opportunity to build this potentially new concept and also thank them for their support and co-operation on the project.”

All 12 vessels will be completed and delivered to the UAEN in a rolling programme with final delivery of the last Missile Boat scheduled for 2014.

Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) announced today that the Company’s Defense segment has been awarded a contract to provide the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Armed Forces with 750 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicles (M-ATVs). The Oshkosh M-ATVs will enhance the UAE’s ground operations by providing greater off-road mobility and crew protection to support national security, as well as critical missions related to the security of the Middle East and the broader community of nations.

The contract awarded to Oshkosh Corporation allows for additional vehicles to be ordered at the discretion of the customer. Oshkosh is scheduled to deliver M-ATVs to the UAE between January and August 2013, pending standard regulatory requirements.

“The UAE continues to expand its role, in partnership with its allies including the United States, in regional security and peace-keeping operations,” said John Urias, executive vice president, Oshkosh Corporation and president, Oshkosh Defense. “The UAE is central to our international growth strategy, and we are honored that they have selected the Oshkosh M-ATV to support their missions.”

“The M-ATV provides the industry’s highest levels of protection and performance,” said Serge Buchakjian, senior vice president and general manager of International Programs, Oshkosh Defense. “No vehicle has been more effective in supporting ground operations – from urban security patrols to combat in harsh desert and mountainous terrain. As we produce and deliver this exceptional vehicle to the UAE Armed Forces, we are equally committed to providing long-term service and to supporting those who rely on our M-ATVs to achieve their missions.”

To date, Oshkosh has received delivery orders for more than 9,500 M-ATVs.

Prior to this M-ATV order, the Company also produced the Oshkosh Global Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) and Oshkosh Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) A4 for international customers. The Global HET features a powerful 700-horsepower engine and is able to transport a main battle tank, armored vehicles, construction equipment and more, reducing the wear on equipment and crew fatigue that typically occurs over long distances. The Oshkosh HEMTT A4 variants including the Patriot tractor, wrecker, and guided missile transporter are also part of the Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC)-3 missile system.

The UAE will get the benefits of a new technology development in the Eurofighter Typhoon if it selects the aircraft for its multi-role combat type, the European partnership said today.

On behalf of the four core nations in the Eurofighter programme, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, a Request for Proposal (RFP) has been issued by NETMA (NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency) to Eurofighter GmbH for the development of an Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar (E-Scan).

Eurofighter Chief Executive Officer, Enzo Casolini said: “The timescale is to answer the RFP by October this year and to have an agreement with the nations by the end of the year. The target is to have a contract by the middle of next year and to have an E-Scan entering into service by 2015.”

Work to develop an E-Scan capability for Typhoon has been taking place between the industrial partners of Eurofighter Typhoon for some time. Receiving this RFP is a significant step to having the capability enter into service.

On the opening day of the Farnborough Air Show, UK Prime Minister David Cameron said: “The four partner nations have agreed to take the next step towards exploiting the growth potential of Typhoon. That potential is huge and the integration of the meteor missile, an AESA radar, enhancements to the defensive aids systems, further development of the air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities and integration of new weapons would all boost the world-beating capabilities of this fantastic aircraft. This progress is good for industry, export customers and the RAF.”

Saudi Arabia is already operating Typhoons and the type is being considered by the UAE and Oman.

United Arab Emirates Requests Sale of F117-PW-100 Engines for its C-17 Aircraft

WASHINGTON | The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified U.S. Congress July 31 of a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of the United Arab Emirates for two F117-PW-100 engines for an estimated cost of $35 million.

The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested a proposed sale of 2 spare F117-PW-100 engines in support of the UAE C-17 GLOBEMASTER III aircraft. The estimated cost is $35 million.

The proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

The proposed sale will improve the UAE’s readiness and capability to meet current and future strategic airlift requirements. The UAE will use its C-17s to provide humanitarian aid in the Middle East and Africa region and to support its troops in coalition operations. The C-17 will provide a heavy airlift capability and complement day-to-day operations of the UAE’s existing C-130H fleet.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be Pratt and Whitney in East Hartford, Connecticut. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the UAE.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

Korea may get its chance at selling the T-50 supersonic trainer jet to the United Arab Emirates after all now that the Middle Eastern state has halted talks with rival supplier Italy. The T-50 Golden Eagle is Korea's first supersonic jet and was developed jointly by Korea Aerospace Industries and Lockheed Martin.

The country spent W2 trillion (US$1=W1,112) developing it, and each jet is priced at US$25 million. Korea first tried to sell it to the UAE in 2009 but was outbidden by Italy's M-346 trainer jet.

But the UAE suspended negotiations with Italy in February last year due to differences over the price and the lack of potential for industrial cooperation.

A government official said Sunday Abu Dhabi's state-run investment corporation Mubadala Development Company asked KAI in November last year if it was still interested in talks about selling the T-50s. "Since then, the Ministry of Knowledge Economy and Korea Export-Import Bank have been supporting the talks to make more inroads into the Middle Eastern market," he added.

A Mudabala team is expected to visit Korea soon and KAI figures will in turn visit a Mudabala facility for talks, the official added.

The UAE is proposing a private finance initiative to buy the jets whereby a private firm gets payments from the government in return for supplying facilities and services with private capital. A consortium made up of KAI and Lockheed Martin would build an Air Force pilot training center in the UAE, buy T-50 jets for the center and provide all services, including flight training and maintenance. It would be paid per flight hour.

The first phase worth $700 million includes 10 T-50 jets to train 25 pilots per year.

"We're currently talking to Mudabala rather than the UAE Air Force," the official said. "Mudabala is very influential, because it's a state-run investment firm run by a member of the royal family, and the company will explain the scheme to the country's Air Force at the end of this year."

The first export deal for the T-50 was struck in May last year with Indonesia, which agreed to buy 16 trainer jets.